From Claddagh, Ireland to Florence, AL

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Jessica's Story: From Claddagh, Ireland to Florence, AL

Part 2: A Pure Vessel

There was much planning and preparation involved for Jessica’s 13th birthday. Jessie and I had dreams of a special day that she would always remember. In Part II of “From Claddagh, Ireland to Florence, Alabama, USA” I would like to share all that went into that day to make it a memory to last a lifetime.

Before their date on the evening of November 30th, Jessie helped me prepare a Purity Covenant for them both to sign. We have chosen to make this document available to other parents for the fee of $5. This will help to cover the cost of supplies and printing. Here is the Father’s part of the covenant:

I, Jessie, as your Father do solemnly swear and covenant with you this night, November 30, 2000, to love you with a pure heart. I covenant to help you, protect you, lead, guide and direct you to remain pure and unsullied in body, soul and mind. These things we shall accomplish together until such a time that I give leadership and authority of you over to your husband.

I covenant to give you my full protection under the authority of Scripture - Ephesians.6: 1-3

I covenant to study God’s word so that I may teach you and guide you - John 16:13

I covenant to love you as my sister-in-Christ - 1 Peter 1:22

I covenant to guide you in all things as the Spirit leads - Deuteronomy.6: 1-9

I covenant to help you remain pure until your wedding day - Proverbs.1: 7-9

I covenant to help you choose the mate that God chose for you - Genesis 24

I covenant to be an earthly model of the Abba that you can seek in times of trouble, fear, and heartbreak.

I covenant to support you, have faith in you and trust you to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit - John 16:13

I covenant to pray for you daily - Ephesians.1: 16

I, Jessica, as your daughter do solemnly swear and covenant with you this night, November 30, 2000, to love you with a pure heart, to turn to you in times of trouble, confusion and fear.

I covenant with you to follow your lead as my spiritual guide and spiritual authority.

Tonight I covenant with you to keep myself spiritually, physically and emotionally pure until my wedding day.

I place my trust in you to choose a man as designated by God to be my husband.

I covenant to study God’s word to gain wisdom and understanding - 2 Tim. 2:15

I covenant to submit to your teaching and instruction - Proverbs 1:8

I covenant with you to submit to your authority until such time as I am wed - Ephesians. 6:1

I covenant with you to remain sexually pure until I am wed -1Corinthians. 7:34

I covenant with you to give you my heart until God makes His choice for my husband known to you - Matthew 15:4

I covenant with you to trust you to know what is best for me in all things - Ephesians. 1:17-18

I covenant to let you know when I am struggling so that you can direct me.

I covenant to conduct myself in such a manner that I will bring honor to my God and you, my Daddy.

I covenant to pray for you daily as you lead our family - Ephesians. 1:16

These things we covenant together, between Jessie as the Father and Jessica as the daughter, this day and seal with a ring. This ring is a sign of this covenant and shall remain on Jessica’s ring finger of her left hand, as placed there this night by Jessie, until the day of her engagement or marriage.

Signed in the presence of God and His Angels:

When the big day arrived we were up early. We spent the day in very special preparations. With the arrival of her 13th birthday came the advent of special changes. Jessica received her first pair of stockings. The morning appointment was with my BeautiControl cosmetologist, Joanne Peck, who instructed Jessica and her guests on the proper care of their skin and the use of cosmetics. A young lady should radiate her love for the Lord, not make her face look like a make-up commercial.

After a quick lunch we went to the manicurist. Her Daddy had special plans for her hand that night and we wanted them to look nice. A lady’s hands should always be well kept. This is not to say that they shouldn’t be used for work, they can and should. Your nails should never keep you from your responsibilities. The duties of a woman are more important than her fingernails.

The last thing to do before her date was get her hair fixed. I wanted to emphasis the importance of this night, which is why we went all out. A trip to our hairdresser saw her hair arranged in a French knot with ringlets framing her face.

This was a very special night for both of them. Jessica was wearing a new dress and shoes with her hair twisted up in a French knot with dangling ringlets. Jessie was in a dress shirt and slacks. It was a magical night.

Over dinner Jessie presented the Purity Covenant to Jessica. After they read it over and discussed it, Jessie produced a pen and they signed it. When Jessie placed the Claddagh ring on Jessica’s finger he placed it on her left hand, to symbolize that her heart is taken, with the heart pointing out to symbolize that she is not married.

To end the evening I had a special time of sharing and prayer with Jessica after they returned home. I shared my vision for her life, to become a godly wife and mother, and my expectations for her immediate future, to deepen her knowledge of Scripture and assume more responsibility for the care and management of our household. I also explained to her how she was a role model for her younger siblings and how they often reflected her attitudes and behavior.

I really believe that as the firstborn her strength of personality can be a true asset or hindrance to our family. From the beginning of time the first fruits have been consecrated and that would be Jessica in our family. These firstborn children are gifted in ways that the subsequent children could only dream of. Face it, as firstborn children they are the ones that we learn on. They are the ones who bear the brunt of our mistakes and witness and often times suffer through our maturing as parents.

The firstborn is often the child with the strongest will. This strength-of-will can be shaped into strength of character or it can become a major stumbling block in their road to salvation and Christian maturity.

For that reason our children must be trained from a young age the how’s, why’s and where fore’s of purity and the family’s chosen alternative to dating.

If taught from an early age the reasons for not giving your heart away to every attractive member of the opposite sex, they will have a tool to fight Satan with. Exodus 35 - this chapter speaks of the Spirit stirring our hearts for His service.

If they are taught from an early age the preparations necessary before marriage can even be considered, then they will not constantly be on the look out for “the right one”. (Titus 2:3-5)

If they learn from an early age that nearly every person out there is someone’s future spouse then they won’t be as tempted to commit spiritual adultery. (Matthew. 5:27)

If they are taught from an early age the value of working with your hands, they will be kept from temptation and mischief. They will be content to be busy and boredom will not become a disease in your home. (Deuteronomy. 24:19; Ps. 24:3-5; 90:16-17; Ps. 128; Proverbs 31; 1 Thessalonians. 4:9-12)

These are just some of the characteristics that you could develop in your children to ensure that they will become vessels that our Maker can use. Have you ever modeled these behaviors before your children? Do you look forward to a day at home or do you have to be constantly going, constantly entertained? Your children will pick up on this and discontent will spread through your family like a bad cold. Fight this disease by providing activities that your children can accomplish during their down time. Our Lord made the statement when He was 12 years old that He had to be “busy about His Father’s business.” What can we be found doing?

The most sacred duty we have as parents is to train our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, which is straight Scripture. How you work that out in your own home is very personal and individual. Only you and our Dear Lord will know how this looks in your home. There are many tools available to parents to help them accomplish this goal. The Purity Covenant is just one of those tools. It is a tool we have chosen to use in our home. Purity goes far beyond the physical body or even the mind; it must first start in the spirit. How your spirit responds to urgings from the Holy Spirit will determine your thoughts and actions. I challenge you to hold your children up in prayer on a daily basis, asking our Dear Lord to fill their cup with His love and to guard them from the evil influences that would spoil their purity.

If you would like a copy of The Purity Covenant, printed on very special paper, please send $5.00 to:

Crooked Pines Publishing

Jessie and Mary Woodis

This article is copyrighted by Mary E. Woodis. If you would like to print this article in whole or part in your publication please contact Jessie and Mary Woodis at jessiew@hiwaay.net for permission and more details.

Page last updated February 2003